We are celebrating a milestone birthday in December in NYC (table for 2), and would appreciate your recommendations.

While we are looking for something "high end", we don't want anything stuffy. Does anyone have any ideas?

Wife will eat fish/ seafood, but no other meat. I eat everything.

Thanks!

Whereabouts in NYC will you be?

Also, might be helpful to do a search in the NYC forum...there are tons of restaurant opinions there. Also, check out chowhound.com.

also depends on when in Dec. Thanksgiving to New Years is busy time and as it gets closer to Christmas it can get crazy.

Gramercy Tavern.
Le Bernadin, but could be a bit stuffy.
Mermaid Inn. Not highend, but nice (kinda romantic), and very good seafood.

Here's my list of favorite places to dine on special occasions. However, I'm a little uncertain by what you mean by "not stuffy". I don't think any of these places are stuffy, however, they are romantic and "formal". (don't need a suit, but a jacket and nice outfit on your wife is necessary in most) So if you're looking for high-end, but want to be in jeans, let me know and I'll come up with a different list.

Bouley
Chanterelle
Eleven Madison
One if by Land, Two if by Sea
Firebird
Cafe des Artistes
Gramercy Tavern

You can read reviews of all these places in Zagat.com

We are celebrating a milestone birthday in December in NYC (table for 2), and would appreciate your recommendations.

While we are looking for something "high end", we don't want anything stuffy. Does anyone have any ideas?

Wife will eat fish/ seafood, but no other meat. I eat everything.

Thanks!

It would help to know a few things in order to give you the best recommendation:


Where do you live?

For what price range are you looking?

When you say "high end," do you refer to the food, decor or service?

Would you give us some examples of restaurants anywhere in the world that fit your requirements?

I second Grammercy Tavern. In addition, I would consider Jean Georges or Per Se.

L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon.

Aquagrill in SoHo for seafood.

Don't go to the Mermaid Inn. Not special enough for a birthday celebration. and they only serve chocolate pudding for dessert. Well, maybe you'll like that, but not my cup of tea.

Gramercy Tavern it is! Thanks everyone!

Even though I called on November 17th for a December 15th booking (the earliest possible date they take bookings for December 15th), no love. Not even Amex Platinum can help. Wow, is this place really that good!?

Going to ONE IF BY LAND TWO IF BY SEA.

Going to ONE IF BY LAND TWO IF BY SEA.

while OIBL is located in a very pretty (in the flowers & romantic sense) room, imho it leans towards the stuffy side. Plus, unless you're dying for Beef Wellington, iirc the food reviews seem to be mediocre at best.

I'm sure you can find OIBL threads on http://www.chowhound.com/boards/18

For better food in a less stuffy, more neighborhoody type place check out Hearth or maybe RedCat or if you're into wine, Veritas

enjoy

Even though I called on November 17th for a December 15th booking (the earliest possible date they take bookings for December 15th), no love. Not even Amex Platinum can help. Wow, is this place really that good!?It IS that popular. It doesn't necessarily mean that the menu is that good. Gramercy Tavern is nice but it is not worth a several month long wait. No restaurant is IMHO.

Have your wife call and tell them that it's for a special birthday - it often works wonders. Visiting the restaurant in person a few days before also can work (they always have additional tables they can give you if they'd really want).

Many of the places mentioned are kind-a stuffy - the average age of patrons will be high, they'll all be in suits, and there won't be much in the way of music. If you want a place that's more fun I'd try Mr. Chows in Tribeca or uptown. I also like David Burke and Donatella (I believe on east 61st) - a burlesque affair with an interesting mix of patrons. I also feel JoJos (e 64th) is very nice and cozy (less formal) - though the tables are spaced very close together. In my view a slgihtly later reservation (8pm+) also translates into a more 'happening' crowd.

I'm a huge fan of Estiatorio (sp?) Milos. It's a greek place in midtown west, heavy seafood focus, but some of the most incredibly grilled fish you'll get in New York. Very nice atmosphere, not at all stuffy, but still can have a pleasantly romantic meal if you'd like. As upscale as the others, just not as well known. Gramercy Tavern is my second favorite restaurant in the city, to Per Se.

Ooh, having typed that. A bit downscale from those, but much more warm and romantic, and still amazing food is Il Buco, on Bond St downtown.

Wow Per Se looks fantastic, but waaaaay more than i want to spend. I wouldn't be able to enjoy the meal if I knew a check of that magnitude was coming my way.

Anyway, I am WL'd for the Gramercy Tavern.

While we had a wonderful evening overall, I can't say I loved One If By Land. A bit crowded and noisy to be touted as a "romantic spot".